San Francisco 49ers defensive back C.J. Spillman (27) celebrates after defeating the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome. The 49ers defeated the Falcons 28-24. Daniel Shirey, USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) celebrates as time expires with Anthony Dixon (24) and Darcel McBath (28) in the NFC Championship game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. The 49ers defeated the Falcons 28-24. John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53), Dashon Goldson (38) and Tarell Brown (25) celebrate Bowman's break up of a fourth down pass against the Atlanta Falcons during the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome. John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Harry Douglas (83) makes a catch against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome. Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) scores on a touchdown run past Atlanta Falcons strong safety William Moore (25) during the fourth quarter in the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome. Daniel Shirey, USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson (23) and William Moore (25) hit San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) who fumbles the ball at the one yard line during the fourth quarter in the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome. Daniel Shirey, USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) carries the ball and tries to escape the tackle by Atlanta Falcons strong safety William Moore (25) during the fourth quarter in the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome. Daniel Shirey, USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis (85) runs after a catch against Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Stephen Nicholas (54) during the third quarter of the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome. Dale Zanine, USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez (88) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tarell Brown (25) during the third quarter of the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome. Dale Zanine, USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers kicker David Akers (2) reacts after missing a 38-yard field goal against the Atlanta Falcons during the third quarter of the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome. Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) celebrates his touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons with quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and tight end Vernon Davis (85) during the third quarter of the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome. Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez (88) celebrates a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter of the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome. Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Sean Weatherspoon (56) reacts during the second quarter of the NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers at the Georgia Dome. Dale Zanine, USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis (85) scores a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter in the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome. Daniel Shirey, USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers running back LaMichael James (23) celebrates his touchdown run against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter in the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome. Daniel Shirey, USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) catches a touchdown over San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tarell Brown (25) during the second quarter in the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome. Daniel Shirey, USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner (33) runs against San Francisco 49ers defensive end Ray McDonald (91) during the first quarter of the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome. Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Corey Peters (91) celebrates his sack with John Abraham (55) against San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (not pictured) during the first quarter in the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome. Daniel Shirey, USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers running back LaMichael James (23) hits the ground on a kickoff return where he looses the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter in the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome. James was ruled down on the play. Daniel Shirey, USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Corey Peters (91) sacks San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) during the first quarter of the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome. John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) points to the defense at the line of scrimmage against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter in the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome. Daniel Shirey, USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) sets to throw the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter of the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome. John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) catches a 46-yard touchdown pass from Matt Ryan during the first quarter of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at the Georgia Dome. John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tarell Brown (25) reacts during the first quarter of the NFC Championship game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) prepares for the game against the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome. John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith greets owner Arthur Blank prior to the NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers at the Georgia Dome. Dale Zanine, USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Falcons mascot holds a "Rise Up" flag prior to the NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers at the Georgia Dome. Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports